Renowned advocate Willis Otieno has sharply criticized the emerging political pact between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), warning that elite bargaining for the Deputy President seat betrays the electorate's demand for substantive policy reforms.

In a scathing rebuke of Kenya's shifting political tectonic plates, celebrated constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has fired a direct salvo at the top echelons of the country's political leadership over ongoing coalition negotiations. He warned that the relentless pursuit of high-profile political seats is overshadowing the immediate needs of the Kenyan electorate.

The criticism arrives at a critical juncture in the nation's democratic journey, serving as a stark reminder that the pursuit of executive power must not eclipse the pressing socio-economic realities facing ordinary citizens. With the 2027 general elections already casting a long shadow over the national discourse, Otieno's remarks expose the underlying friction between political expediency and public-centered governance.

The Illusion of Elite Bargaining

Taking to his official X account on Saturday morning, Otieno articulated his profound disappointment with the trajectory of the ongoing bilateral discussions. He lambasted the leadership of both ODM and UDA for dedicating their energies to power-sharing arrangements rather than drafting concrete policy commitments that would alleviate the severe economic pressures currently squeezing Kenyan households. According to the vocal advocate, when massive political machineries prioritize the division of the executive pie, it invariably creates a detrimental perception of elite bargaining that alienates the common voter.

Otieno's bold pronouncements followed closely on the heels of a highly publicized declaration by ODM party leader and Siaya Senator, Dr. Oburu Oginga. Speaking at a consultative meeting held at the Siaya County Assembly chambers, Dr. Oburu definitively stated that the opposition outfit is ready to stake its claim on the Deputy President position in a proposed "broad-based government" alliance with the ruling UDA. He systematically dismissed narratives suggesting that the second-in-command seat is ring-fenced for specific regions, emphasizing that ODM intends to vigorously safeguard its interests during pre-election pact negotiations.

A Departure from Public-Centered Governance

For Otieno, however, this maneuvering represents a fundamental departure from the ethos of genuine democracy. He argued vehemently that the true measure of political victory is not determined by the number of cabinet dockets a party secures or the prestige of the offices its leaders occupy. Instead, he posited that legitimacy is entirely contingent upon tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens. In his characteristic uncompromising tone, he emphasized that an alliance forged purely for executive influence is structurally flawed if it fails to address structural inequities.

To contextualize the debate surrounding the proposed UDA-ODM merger, one must examine the specific benchmarks of governance that Otieno highlighted as non-negotiable. He specifically pointed to systemic failures that require immediate, bipartisan attention rather than superficial political realignment.

• Healthcare Accessibility: The persistent struggle of ordinary citizens to access affordable, quality medical treatment in public hospitals.
• Economic Stability: The soaring cost of basic commodities, which continues to erode the purchasing power of the Kenyan shilling.
• Public Services: The chronic underfunding and mismanagement of essential public services, leading to infrastructural decay in marginalized regions.
• Constitutional Supremacy: The paramount need to adhere strictly to the timelines and dictates of the 2010 Constitution, insulating electoral integrity from the whims of the incumbent class.

The Burden of True Leadership

Otieno, who gained national prominence for his colorful and incisive legal arguments during the 2022 presidential election petition at the Supreme Court, has consistently positioned himself as a vanguard of constitutional purism. His recent affiliation with the Safina Party, where he declared his intention to run alongside businessman Jimi Wanjigi in 2027, has provided him with a robust platform to challenge the established political duopoly. By critiquing the ODM-UDA convergence, Otieno is essentially challenging the political establishment to elevate their dialogue from the boardroom to the grassroots.

The veteran litigator emphasized that consolidating power cannot reasonably be framed as a political success when a vast majority of the population remains marginalized. He challenged the architects of the proposed coalition to present a unified manifesto that transparently addresses debt management, youth unemployment, and the ballooning cost of living, rather than fixating on the architecture of a joint ticket.

"Political legitimacy ultimately depends on outcomes for the population, not the distribution of offices among leaders," Otieno concluded, leaving an indelible challenge for the political class as Kenya navigates its complex pre-election landscape.